Comments on: Bill Gates: schools need a better way to evaluate teachershttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/
The industry leader in emerging technology researchFri, 04 Aug 2017 14:58:54 +0000hourly1By: paul martinhttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1307291
Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:28:37 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1307291@Donachies Just checked the local Scottish News and Bill is saying that there should be 2016 educated youngsters in the new Microsoft Apprentice program in a couple of years. Also he has recently given the BBC Annual Lecture, very responsibly he chose the subject of Polio and kids.

It seems to me that they are being responsible.

]]>By: Barbra & Jack Donachyhttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1306357
Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:25:06 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1306357Great question, Mike. The problem is of sufficient complexity that itâ€™s beyond the scope of what I can address here. A couple of quick observations:
1) No other country is engaged in the kind of hyper-scrutiny and criticism of teachers that America is now engaged in. This scrutiny and criticism go far beyond reasonable oversight, and are not useful.
2) Gates and others need to redirect some of this overzealousness toward teachers and develop a system that does a better job of holding school superintendents and their lieutenants accountable. This is Supposed to be the job of local school boards, but across the nation they are failing mightily to provide proper oversight. We need a better system and yes, a revamped evaluation protocol for administrators would have to be part of that.
3) But, no, we canâ€™t simply terminate X% of school administrators. However, a better system for holding administrators accountable must fit with new thinking about how we hire and train them.
]]>By: mikegioiahttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1306324
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:10:46 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1306324If the problem is as systemic as poor administrators and leadership, then I’m not even sure what Bill Gates or anyone for that matter could do.

What’s the solution here, to eradicate X% of the public school administration? How do you find out which ones are bad? Through an evaluation system…?

]]>By: Barbra & Jack Donachyhttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1306093
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:26:03 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1306093“What’s wrong with good intentions?” Good grief, man… surely you’re kidding. And no, there is no proof or conclusion at this point that the Gates’ work is doing one bit of good. Educate yourself. At the level they are giving, comes responsibility – not mere intentions.
]]>By: homecookexplorerhttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1305898
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:00:22 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1305898The way of the future? yes definitely.
But from my perspective here in Ontario (I’ve been ‘retired’ for 3 years now and am doing teacher education) this is something we have been doing up here for a number of years. Rubric based, performance based, partnership teacher assessment initiatives have been driven by the Ministry of Education, in full partnership with the Principals councils, teacher federations and the school boards.
My suggestion is to point your browsers to Ontario and take a look.
]]>By: paul martinhttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1305819
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:55:24 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1305819It’s his own money and what’s wrong with good intentions. The focus on what needs addressing, even if some regard that as not the key issue, is a worthy cause. Indeed Margaret Thatcher’s chosen son Tony Blair only needed 3 words to win: Education, Education, Education.

Clearly Mr (& Mrs) Gates have been a force for good; progress is a missionary thing.

]]>By: Barbra & Jack Donachyhttp://gigaom.com/2013/01/30/bill-gates-calls-for-better-teacher-feedback-systems-heres-how-tech-can-help/#comment-1305773
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:56:27 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=606023#comment-1305773Bill Gates is correct when he observes that most teachers never receive useful feedback regarding their performance. From there he leaps to several wrong-headed concussions.

There’s nothing now preventing an effective administration from observing a teacher, providing feedback and coaching, and fostering improvement. The military and countless private business do this just fine. The reason it’s not being done in our public schools is the glaring shortage of effective school administrators. New evaluation rubrics and more technology in the hands of these bumblers is Not going to improve the teacher evaluation system.

Bad administration is the seminal problem in the system, and it’s troubling that in all the time Gates has been studying school systems, he hasn’t figured that out. Fix the lack of leadership, and our public schools will dramatically improve. Ignore that and Gates positions himself as just another member of the Mafia of Good Intentions, spinning his wheels and wasting everyone’s time and money.